He said it was found "virtually across the street" from the entrance to the Presidio where the statue stands.

The incident followed another act of vandalism against a Serra statue at San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo Mission at 3080 Rio Road in Carmel by-the-Sea on Sept. 26 or 27, according to police.

In November, Santa Cruz police officers responded to a report of vandalism to a Serra statue at Santa Cruz Mission, located on School Street between High and Mission streets. Police said the vandals splattered red paint on the mission's front wooden doors and spray-painted a side wall with the message, "Serra St. of Genocide."